The BC Provincial Rugby High School Championship wrapped up on Saturday with Shawnigan claiming the title in Boys AAA and West Van claiming the title in Boys AA. Yale won the title in Girls AAA and DW Poppy were victorious in Girls AA.
The BCRU announced some significant changes to the Rules of Competition for next season. One of the major changes to impact the Premier league is the dropping of the “Import” rule that limited the number of players who are not “a citizen or permanent resident”. That’s a major change in policy direction that will no doubt spark some discussion. On the positive side it will raise the level of play in the Premier league and help cement its reputation as the top amateur league in North America. On the negative side it will create a gap between the have and have-not clubs, clubs that can afford to bring in high quality imports will raise their level faster than those clubs who cannot afford it. It may result in some blowouts in the first season before some clubs decide to drop to Division One in the following season, creating a more elite, reduced Premier league in the long run.
With one week left in the season the playoff teams have been confirmed. In the West LA, Austin and Houston are in the playoffs, in the East New England, Atlanta and New York are in the playoffs. New England have locked up 1st place in the East and will get a 1st round bye in the playoffs. In the West LA and Austin are in a battle for top spot, LA host Seattle and Austin visit Houston in Week 18.
Canada finished the tournament in 13th place but more importantly finished ahead of Wales and Japan in the relegation zone. Canada are now 3 points ahead of Wales, four points if the adjustment is made for dropping the two worst results which is allowed this season. It’s all to play for in LA in August however and Canada need a big performance to stay in the series.
This is actually an improvement for Canada, replacing a Barbarians match with a full test match against a higher ranked opponent. Spain are ranked 15th, Canada are ranked 21st. Canada’s opponent on July 2nd will be 27th ranked Belgium.
Canada West have named their 28 player travelling roster for next week’s Coast to Coast tournament. The tournament starts Saturday May 28th with Canada West playing Tuesday May 31st and Saturday June 4th.
There are 3 weeks left in the regular season, the top 3 teams in each division go into the playoff round with the 1st place team getting a bye into the division final.
The women had a fairly successful tournament to end the series, finishing in 6th place. They defeated rivals USA in the 5th place semi but lost to France in the 5th place final. The women finish the series in 7th place.
The Rugby Canada AGM recently took place, the financials and annual report are listed below along with the Rugby Canada media release.
There are two new Directors, Lauren Wolman (Toronto, ON) and Sandy Donald (Brandon, MB). Bill Webb of the Toronto Arrows resigned.
It was only a matter of time before an international coach the quality of Damian McGrath found his way back on the World Rugby 7s Series. When Rugby Canada terminated him for murky political reasons, he went to Germany to work with their 7s program and achieved some positive results but, due to COVID, never got to complete the qualification tournament to get Germany on the World 7s Series.